The only weekly electronic newsletter published for Professional Horsemen.

February 23, 2007

Are you tired of trying to make money in the
horse
business the old way? I help professional
horsemen find new and better methods to add to the
profitability of their businesses.Welcome New Subscribers!

I spent some time in my dentist’s chair this week for a
repair job on a chipped tooth. Like any good repair
shop owner, my dentist uses a system to get
the best
job done in the shortest period of time.

Being the first appointment of the day, I arrived at the
office before the Doc, but that was no problem for his
staff. They were expecting me and got me seated in
the dental chair promptly. My dentist arrived shortly
thereafter and explained to me his plan for repairing
my tooth while the assistant silently gathered tools,
resins and assorted materials for the job. She knew
what to expect and what to do.

Time efficient dentists understand systems and the
importance of a well trained support team to move
through the process of handling large numbers of
patients during
the work day. Appointments are scheduled closely for
the goal of seeing many patients in a short period of
time.

You have probably heard talk between your dentist
and his or her assistant limited to words or phrases
like distal, occlusal plane and aspirate.
It’s essential
abbreviated communication to choreograph a
work
dance.

Business systems are nothing more than a
choreographed work dance.

You are
wondering what a work dance has to do with running
a profitable horse business?

Everything of
course. If you are operating as an instructor, trainer or
horse salesperson, your efficient use of time is
supported by a trained support team.

As an instructor, your clients pay you for your
time in the ring, instructing. Tacking up,
warming up
and cooling out are all parts of the lesson, but those
parts may be best handled by a staff member-your
trained support team.

As a horse trainer, the same parts apply to the
process. The work you do with the horse
on the ground or mounted is the expert work;
haltering the horse, grooming, saddling or
harnessing, cooling, blanketing is all work that is best
done by your team members.

As a seller of horses, your best
salesmanship skills
are put in use as you get to know your customer, his
likes, dislikes, goals. If a prospect is looking at
several horses, your support team will groom, tack
and even ride and demonstrate the horse for sale.
The efficiency of your support team will create a
pleasant and educational experience for the prospect
who will appreciate your professionalism and your
respect for others’ time.

If you are already using staff to keep your “work dance”
flowing, congratulations. If you need to create a better
system for work flow, start the process. Don’t ignore
the input of your staff as you improve your systems;
encourage their participation in the process. The
more they feel they “own” the system, the
better your
results will be.

If you’re growing your solo business, consider getting
part
time help for your busy times. As an example, peak
lesson periods during weekdays or weekends that
run “on schedule” will generate the extra revenue to
pay the help. If you are mired in the inefficiency
of “doing everything” your revenue is as limited as a
dentist who is his own receptionist, assistant and
hygienist.

Make your own systems to improve your work dance;
you’ll add to your business bottom line and have more
fun doing it.

Need Help Designing Systems?

The best book I've read about using systems in your
business is Michael E. Gerber's classic, The E
Myth Revisited.

It's a must read
for any small business owner.

Others have said

"Once a week, do a thorough review of all your
projects
in as much detail as you need to. If you do, your
systems will work. If you don't, no system will work. "
--David Allen

"Fall seven times, stand up eight."--Japanese Proverb

"Cats are intended to teach us that not everything in
nature has a function."--Garrison Keillor

Back at the Barn

I had a terrific time meeting the members of the
American Morgan Horse Association at their annual
convention held in Atlanta this past weekend. The
association's tag line: "The Morgan: A PASSION That
Lasts a Lifetime." is true to the feelings of the many
energetic members I spoke with. They love their
Morgan horses and have done so for many years.

I was delighted to be able to speak about making
money in the horse business in 3 seminars on
Saturday. The audiences were receptive to new ideas,
old ideas and the notion of applying renewed energy
into making their horse businesses into what they
really wanted.

Some horsemen are convinced that making money in
the horse business is impossible and have settled for
breaking even as a business goal. Depending on the
circumstances, breaking even may be the perfect goal
for some business owners.

However, if breaking even is your goal, that's probably
as well as you'll ever do. If your goal is to be in the top
six places in a class, fourths and fifths will materialize,
but first place will remain elusive and out of reach.

Henry Ford is credited with once saying, " If you think
you can, or if you think you can't, you're right"
Creating a profitable business starts with what you
believe about your possibilities.

Build the Horse Business You've Always Wanted

I work with Professional Horsemen who are
struggling
with the business half of the horse business.

Just like a top performing horse has a strong
foundation, so does a top performing horse
business.

If you've had enough with
disappointment in your horse business, call or e-mail
and we can talk
about
your business and how I may be able to help you.

A big Welcome to 59 new subscribers this
week. If you know other horsemen who would enjoy
this
newsletter, please forward it to them! I'm on a
quest to tell 1000 people what I do and I need your
help. Thanks!

Life is short,

Ride
hard.

Doug

Speaking about the Horse Business...

Need a speaker about the horse business for your
horse related organization? Talk to me about talking.
Keynotes and workshops available. (716) 434-5371

Want to Transform Your Horse Business with More Profit and better balance between work, rest & play?

A one day Profitable Horseman workshop can
come to
your neighborhood! Put together a group of six or
more workshop attendees and I'll travel to your
location.